Getting to Know Your AGEHR Heritage

By Frances S. Vaughan

            Having just returned from the AGEHR National Directors’ Seminar in Hartford, Conn. and hearing there about the approaching 50^th birthday of the organization, I have been  interested in finding out some history about this event and about AGEHR.

            The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers was founded on February 6, 1954 when three members of the New England Guild of English Handbell Ringers (NEGEHR) met at the Boston Home of Mrs. Margaret Shurcliff to make plans for the first handbell festival.  (The New England Guild had been formed in this same home 17 years earlier.)

            Margaret Shurcliff was the first person in the United States to own a set of English handbells;  she brought a set of Whitechapel Handbells to Boston in 1902.  In addition she was the first president of AGEHR, elected in 1954. 

            The first handbell festival was held at the Crane Mansion, Castle Hill, outside Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1954 With difficulty, 26 persons were recruited to attend (the minimum  number required to have an event at the Mansion).  However, between 700-800 came to the Saturday evening concert.

            AGEHR’s Silver Anniversary in 1979 was the inspiration for the first Directors’ Convention (now called “seminars”), which was held at Washington University in St. Louis.  Approximately 200 directors attended.  Eight classes were offered, and a Silver Anniversary Choir prepared a concert for the closing evening.

            In July, 2003, there were 250 persons in attendance at the Directors’ Seminar in  Hartford and a total of 22classes were offered.  Area III was well represented on the faculty by Ann Y. Schmidt and Greig Ashurst.  Kath Wissinger, Area III Secretary, again led a session for ringing unpublished compositions and received rave reviews.

            26 Area III residents attended the 2003 Seminar:

 DELAWARE

Linda Simms, who missed the opening concert on Saturday evening

            ...because she was stuck for an hour in a hotel elevator!

MARYLAND

Marilyn Converse, an ardent supporter of Area III and national events.

Verlie Ann Skillman, the Area III expert on choirs for home-schooled kids.

Scott Slaughter, the 2003 Area III Scholarship winner.

Carol Walker, Spring Festival Committee member and her husband Ron, who reportedly enjoyed his computer and his stitchery during the conference.

NORTH CAROLINA

Marshall Jones, First UMC in Elizabeth City, a first-time attendee.

Bob Lawton from Chapel Hill, whose work you can read about in NC News.

Jean Murphy  and her daughter Joan Taylor from Naples, regular attendees at seminars.

Marcia  Payn  Wooten, 2002 Scholarship winner, returning enthusiastically for more   knowledge.

VIRGINIA

Noriko Aoki from McLean, a first-time attendee.

Jane Cooper and Amy Swineford from  Christ the King Lutheran Church in Great Falls, new,     enthusiastic directors.

Melodie Feather and Carol Feather Martin, sisters from Northern Virginia, who combined the seminar with a visit to sister number three.

Laura Hough, Youth Festival Conference Co-Chair, working the Area III members and   absorbing knowledge for her many choirs.

Mary Little, former scholarship winner, who has not missed a seminar since the first one.

Bob and Ginny Schoenike from Warrenton, returnees to the seminar.

Carol Smiley, a regular supporter of all area and national events.

Paul Sticha, Area III Composer, and his wife.

              As we approach the 50^th anniversary of AGEHR, it is hoped that we will double our   attendance at the Seminar – since it will be held in  Norfolk.  It will be a gala celebration and an educational bonanza.  Since the observance of the anniversary is scheduled to last for an entire year, we are hoping that each state in Area III will plan to have a festival or a   workshop or a special concert dedicated to this milestone in the history of the Guild.   Area III has already started its celebration by awarding a $500.00 prize to Dr. Michael   Mazzatenta  of Mesa, Arizona for his winning composition in our 2003 composition contest.  Michael’s piece is entitled “Fanfare Celebration!“ and will be available this fall from AGEHR Publishing.

            As this is my last article in a two-year series of Getting to Know ----, I would like to thank all of you for your support during my term as Area Chair.  We have grown together as we have done big and little things to encourage the improvement and the expansion of our musical art!

            Ring for joy – always!